Less than two weeks left before the Arnold Expo, and I can't wait! I received a letter of confirmation from CytoSport, three tubs of protein, and a packet of information regarding the company and its products. I must say that I am pleased with their protein powders. Very creamy, easy to mix, and easy on the tastebuds. Now, I know I sound like a commercial for them, but I really do think they provide a good product. It seems their Muscle Milk protein is their highest selling, for I've seen about six or seven flavors in the supplement store that I purchase all of my protein, glutamine, glucosamine, and vitamins from.

Speaking of supplements, I've upped my level of glucosamine. I've been a bunch of plyometrics and a lot of time on the stepper, and my left knee has been popping a bit and aching a little, so in order to create a bit of joint soreness prevention, I've begun taking glucosamine capsules three times a day. It is helping.

I also take glutamine twice a day--once in my morning shake after cardio and once again in the evening after my weight workout. I really think the glutamine is imperative when building muscle mass and maintaining it.

I'm going to be adding fish back into my diet this week and taking the turkey breast out in order to create some variety. I'm also relying on chicken breasts, egg whites, and one protein shake a day for my protein intake. And I eat lean red meat twice a week. I definitely look forward to that!

And then there's my mass consumption of Trident cinnamon gum. It's an addiction. I admit it. I have a problem. I should attend gum chewers anonymous meetings. I'd probably see the rest of the figure and fitness competitors there! I probably go through a pack a day, and it has to be Trident and it has to be cinnamon flavored. By the end of the evening, my tongue is on fire, my tastebuds are numb, and the mint from my toothpaste when I brush my teeth before bed brings tears to my eyes when it hits my mouth. And the local Walmart has decided to stop carrying the cinnamon flavor because there isn't enough of a demand for it. Not enough of a demand??? Are they crazy? I probably keep Trident in business with how many times I purchase packages. I don't even buy one or two packets anymore. Forget that! I go ahead and get the whole box that holds about 15 packets in it. The cashiers look at me like I'm crazy, but they aren't dieting and waiting for their next meal time to arrive!

I swear I'm hungry allll the time too! I'm in the middle of drinking my shake in the morning and I'm looking at the time and trying to figure out when I can eat again. I eat my chicken and potatoes (by the way, I've been adding this fajita seasoning that smells something awful but tastes heavenly; basically, it clears the room when I open my plastic container of food. That's okay, I prefer to eat alone! Lol!)...ohhh there I go off on another tangent! Anyway, I eat my chicken and potatoes and I'm still hungry as I'm munching on the last bits of potato. It's madness, I tell you! I don't understand how someone as small as I am can eat as much food as I do. I'll tell you this, never take me to a all-you-can-eat buffet! It's embarrassment for everyone! Actually, my dad is the all-you-can-eat king, but I'll save that story for another time. Let's just leave it at restaurants have actually closed down their buffets and stopped offering all you can eat after my dad has been there once or twice. I'm not kidding! And this is from a man is only 5'6".

There's got to be other stuff to talk about besides food. Yes...the progress pictures. Those were taken yesterday after my chest workout. I must state that the pictures are not a true portrayal of my physique. My abs are not showing up in the photos, my shoulders are a bit larger, my lat spread is more prominent, and my legs and butt are nowhere to be seen because the pictures were awful! I nearly panicked when I looked at the pictures! But real life tells a slightly different story, thank goodness. In fact, I put on a favorite baby T-shirt of mine this past week after not having worn it for about a month, and I was shocked. Either the dryer got ahold of some of the material and discarded it or I've gained some size in my back and shoulders. I'd like to think it was the latter.

By the way, the first figure show of the year was this past Saturday...the Ironman Pro NPC Figure out in California. This was the one that Hannah Park won. Remember, Hannah went on to win the 2003 Junior USA's and earn her pro card as the overall figure girl. She eventually qualified for the Olympia and represented us short girls quite well with a full and lean physique. A girl by the name of Abby Duncan won the Ironman this year. She placed 15th in the 2003 Figure Nationals and will definitely be on the national scene again this year. If you want to see results and photos, go to either www.ftvideo.com or www.bodysport.com. Please post remarks on the message board. I'm very curious to know your thoughts.

And on that same subject, be sure to post your opinions on the Arnold. Pick fitness, figure, or bodybuilding, or all three, and let me know who you want to see win and who you think has the best physique and the best chances up in Columbus.

I'm about to eat my egg whites and get ready for bed. I have a morning cardio session and then will be blasting my arms tomorrow evening. I have to work on the outer portion of my biceps in order to create a thicker look in my arms, so everything I'm doing now is close grip: close grip barbell curls, one arm dumbbell preacher curls with my elbow placement slightly inside of my shoulder joint, lying cable curls with a close grip (these are my favorites!). And I get to do bench dips tomorrow as well. I do these very heavy, with two 45-pound plates and then drop set them. I nearly fall of the bench when it's all said and done. And my triceps are growing, but they still need more size.

I've got to get back into sprints. The weather has been so off and on lately. There was the freak snowstorm (when you get more than an inch of snow in Texas, believe me...it's a blizzard out there!), and today it was pouring rain. I'm not sprinting in that! I can just see it. My little legs going as fast as they can and suddenly my foot slips and one leg goes in one direction and the other one in the other and before I realize it, I'm doing the splits, which I haven't done since...well...actually never, which means that something is terribly wrong and painful. Nope, no sprints in the rain! Lol! I'm praying for warm weather to come back! Sorry to all of you up north, but that's why I'm in Texas! Thank goodness for heat! :)

Now I'm off to eat and go to bed. Enjoy your week!

Jodi :)